Nashville Sounds managerFran Riordan

NASHVILLE SOUNDS (Triple-A)

Fran Riordan, 42, will manage at the Triple-A level for the first time after leading the Double-A Midland RockHounds to a Texas League title in 2017. It was the fourth consecutive championship for Oakland’s Double-A affiliate. The 2018 season will be Riordan’s fourth in the Athletics organization. Prior to 2017 with Midland, he managed Single-A Beloit in 2015 and 2016 after a 14-year career managing in the independent Frontier and Northern Leagues. Riordan sports a career managerial mark of 869-857 (.503) over 17 seasons dating back to 2000. He takes over the manager role vacated by Ryan Christenson who was hired as the bench coach for Oakland. Rick Rodriguez, 57, returns to Nashville for a third season as pitching coach for the Sounds. He helped lead the Sounds to the 2016 American Southern Division Championship and has helped 14 Sounds pitchers make their Major League debut over the last two years. Prior to Nashville, Rodriguez spent one season serving in the same role with Advanced-A Stockton. He was Triple-A Sacramento’s pitching coach for 12 seasons, including his most recent stint in 2013-14. Rodriguez also served as the A’s bullpen coach from 2011-12 and as the manager of Advanced-A Modesto in 2003. Eric Martins, 46, returns to Nashville for a third season as the Sounds’ hitting coach. He has helped develop hitters such as Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Chad Pinder and Franklin Barreto over the last two seasons. Martins served in the same role with Double-A Midland in 2015. Prior to his one season in Midland, he was a scout for the A’s since 2007. During his time as a scout, Martins was responsible for signing A.J. Griffin, Daniel Robertson and Chapman. Athletic trainer Brad LaRosa and strength and conditioning coach Henry Torres also return to Nashville after being with the Sounds in 2017.

Midland RockHounds managerScott Steinmann

MIDLAND ROCKHOUNDS (Double-A)

Scott Steinmann takes over at Midland after joining the Oakland organization as manager at Single-A Beloit in 2017. Prior to joining the A’s organization, he spent 17 seasons on various coaching staffs in the Seattle Mariners farm system, including nine seasons as a manager. Steve Connelly and Tommy Everidge move from Single-A Stockton to Midland in 2017 to take over as pitching and hitting coaches respectively. Justin Whitehouse returns as athletic trainer and Omar Aguilar joins the club from Beloit as strength and conditioning coach.

Stockton Ports managerRick Magnante

STOCKTON PORTS (High-A)

Rick Magnante returns as manager at Single-A Stockton for the fourth consecutive season and is in his 22nd season in the A’s organization. Prior to Stockton, Magnante served as the manager of Class-A Beloit in 2014 after spending eight seasons with the A’s short-season teams in Vermont (2011-2013) and Vancouver (2006-2010). Pitching coach Bryan Corey moves up from Short-Season Vermont and hitting coach Brian McArn joins the club from Midland. Shane Zdebiak returns as athletic trainer and Matt Mosiman joins the A’s organization as the Ports strength and conditioning coach.

Beloit Snappers managerWebster Garrison

BELOIT SNAPPERS (Class-A)

Webster Garrison is the new manager at Beloit after helming the A’s Arizona Rookie League club in 2017. It will be his 20th season as a coach or manager in the A’s farm system. Don Schulze moves from Midland to take over as pitching coach, Juan Dilone returns for his third consecutive season as hitting coach and Brian Thorson returns for his 35th season in the A’s organization as an athletic trainer.

Vermont Lake Monsters managerAaron Nieckula

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS (Class-A Short-Season)

Pitching Coach: Carlos Chavez

Aaron Nieckula returns for his fourth season as manager at Vermont and his 12th season managing in the A’s farm system. He also serves as spring training and instructional league coordinator. Carlos Chavez takes over as pitching coach after spending 2017 at Beloit, while hitting coach Lloyd Turner and athletic trainer Toshiaki Nagahara also return to Vermont.

AZL A’s pitching coachGabriel Ozuna

ARIZONA LEAGUE A’S (Rookie Short-Season)

Eddie Menchaca will manage the A’s affiliate in the Arizona Rookie League after spending nine seasons in the Seattle Mariners organization. He compiled a 441-460 record in seven seasons as a manager, most recently at Single-A Bakersfield in 2016. Pitching coach Gabriel Ozuna, hitting coach Ruben Escalera, coach Gabe Ortiz and athletic trainer Chris Lessner all return in 2018. Matt Rutledge takes over as strength and conditioning coach.

Minor league pitching coordinator Gil Patterson, minor league hitting coordinator Jim Eppard, minor league defensive coordinator Juan Navarette, minor league instruction coordinator Ed Sprague, minor league field coordinator Aaron Nieckula and traveling instructor Steve Scarsone all return in their same player development roles. In addition, the A’s have hired Hiram Bocachica as a traveling instructor.

Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm. You can also get our exclusive A’s minor league newsletter e-mailed to you free by signing uphere.

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by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor

First baseman Matt Olson

With the 2017 minor league season now complete, it’s the perfect time to take a step back and determine who the true standouts on the field really were in the A’s system in 2017. We’re not selecting top prospects here, just looking at the top performers on the field this season. So, with that in mind, it’s time to name A’s Farm’s 2017 Post-Season Organizational All-Star Team!

Below you’ll find the primary starting players at each position for Triple-A Nashville, Double-A Midland, High-A Stockton, Class-A Beloit, Class-A Short-Season Vermont and the Rookie League Short-Season AZL A’s in 2017. Offensive players were selected from the primary starters at each position for each team over the course of the season, with notable players not leading in games played at a particular position listed in the designated hitter category. Starting pitchers for each club were selected from among the top starters for each team, while closers were selected from each team’s saves leader. Asterisks denote players with combined statistics from multiple minor league teams within the A’s system, but players’ major league statistics and statistics acquired while with other organizations have not been included.

Although A.J. Puk is undoubtedly the A’s top pitching prospect, he doesn’t appear here since he split his season between Stockton and Midland, had an ERA over 4.00 for the year, and had teammates on both squads who performed better on the field over the course of the season. But that in no way diminishes his overall prospect status. The same applies to Yairo Munoz, who split time between Nashville and Midland and also split time between shortstop, third base and the outfield and thus was not the primary starter at any position for either team. Shortstop Jorge Mateo and third baseman Sheldon Neuse are not included either, since both arrived in trades in July and neither appeared in more than 40 regular season games in the A’s system.

Check out our list of All-Star candidates at each position. Then click on the link just below the list of contenders to find A’s Farm’s winning Organizational All-Stars at each position. The winners were determined based purely on performance, not potential. Remember, we’re not selecting the top prospects here, we’re choosing the top performers on the field this season. So take a look at the candidates for yourself and then cast your vote in our poll for the top A’s Organizational All-Star of 2017!

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)

Nashville Sounds 8

New Orleans Baby Cakes 6

WP – Hahn 2-0 / 4.32

Prospect Of The Game:

(1 for 3 / Double / Walk / 3 RBIs / Stolen Base)

With the bases loaded, one out and his team down by a pair of runs in the top of the 9th inning, center fielder Jaff Decker stepped to the plate and lined a double to right field to clear the bases and provide the margin of victory for the Sounds on Saturday. Decker then stole third base and came in to score an insurance run on shortstop Yairo Munoz‘s sacrifice fly. Decker also drew a walk but was left stranded in the 7th. Designated hitter Beau Taylor collected 3 hits, while third baseman Renato Nunez drew 3 walks, and second baseman Joey Wendle singled in a pair of runs for the Sounds. Starter Josh Smith allowed 2 runs over 5 frames, while RHP Chris Jensen gave up 4 runs in 2 innings of relief. RHP Jesse Hahn tossed 1 scoreless inning in his return from the disabled list to earn his 2nd win for the Sounds, and RHP Lou Trivino got the final three outs in the 9th to notch his 4th save for Nashville.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)

Visalia Rawhide 0

Stockton Ports 22

WP – Bailey 2-1 / 4.24

HR – Brown (27), M.White (16), Bolt (15)

Prospect Of The Game:

(2 for 5 / Grand Slam / Double / 5 RBIs)

The Ports exploded for 22 runs as they shut out Visalia on just 2 hits to move back into a three-way tie for first place in their division on Thursday. First baseman Seth Brown continued his red-hot second half, collecting his 18th double of the season and slugging his second grand slam in his last four games. The 25-year-old walked, scored twice and drove in 5 runs on the day to extend his league-leading RBI total to 104, and his 27th home run tied him for the league lead. Center fielder Skye Bolt had 5 hits, including a home run, and drove in 6 runs, while shortstop Mikey White homered, doubled, walked and drove in 4. Third baseman Branden Cogswell collected 4 hits, and second baseman Nate Mondou and right fielder Luis Barrera both had 3 hits and drove in a pair for the Ports. Starter Brandon Bailey was outstanding on Thursday, allowing just 1 hit while striking out 7 over 5 frames to earn his 2nd win for Stockton, while RHP Boomer Biegalski returned from the disabled to throw 1 scoreless inning in relief for the Ports. First baseman Chris Iriart also returned from the disabled list but was not in the lineup on Thursday, while shortstop Richie Martin and RHP Miguel Romero were both placed on the DL for Stockton.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)

Visalia Rawhide 3

Stockton Ports 4

WP – Blackwood 1-5 / 3.05

HR – Siddall (20)

Prospect Of The Game:

(2 for 6 / Home Run)

The Ports prevailed in 12-innings to help keep their playoff hopes alive on Wednesday. Left fielder Brett Siddall hit his 20th home run to tie the game in the 8th inning and then scored the winning run on designated hitter Mikey White’s RBI double in the bottom of the 12th as Stockton won in a walk-off. Siddall also singled in the game, and his .303 batting average and .500 slugging percentage are both bests among all current Ports batters. First baseman Seth Brown walked 4 times, scored a run and stole a base, while third baseman Branden Cogswell drew 3 walks and singled in a pair of runs for the Ports. Starter Logan Shore allowed 3 runs over 7 innings of work, while RHP Kyle Friedrichs pitched 4 perfect frames in relief, and RHP Nolan Blackwood tossed a scoreless top of the 12th to pick up his 1st win for the Ports.

TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)

San Antonio Missions 10

Midland RockHounds 8

LP – Mann 3-7 / 4.44

Prospect Of The Game:

(3 for 6 / 2 Triples / RBI)

Shortstop Jorge Mateo turned in another strong performance for the RockHounds on Tuesday. The 22-year-old, who was acquired from the Yankees in the Sonny Gray deal, collected 3 hits, including a pair of triples, while driving in a run and scoring twice, and he’s now hitting .300 with 2 home runs and 9 RBIs over his last 9 games for Midland. Designated hitter Jermaine Curtis singled, tripled, walked and drove in 3 runs, while second baseman Max Schrock and center fielder B.J. Boyd both had 2 hits and drove in runs for the RockHounds. Starter Grant Holmes allowed 1 run on 3 hits while walking 6 and striking out 8 over 5 innings of work for Midland. RHPs Sam Bragg and Kyle Finnegan each surrendered 3 runs in relief, while LHP Brandon Mann was charged with 2 unearned runs in the top of the 9th to take the loss as the RockHounds suffered their fourth straight defeat on Tuesday.

MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)

GAME #2

Beloit Snappers 8

Burlington Bees 4

WP – Camacho 3-3 / 2.97

HR – Shelby (8)

Prospect Of The Game:

(3 for 3 / Double / Walk / RBI)

The Snappers snapped their three-game losing streak by sweeping a doubleheader from Burlington on Monday. Designated hitter Kyle Nowlin reached base 4 times, on a pair of singles, a double and a walk, while also driving in a run and scoring twice. Center fielder JaVon Shelby singled and homered, while second baseman Josh Vidales singled, walked twice and scored twice, and right fielder Luke Persico singled in 2 runs, including the winning run for the Snappers. Starter Zack Erwin gave up 2 runs over 4 1/3 frames, while RHP Joseph Camacho allowed 1 run 2 2/3 innings of relief to pick up the win. In other news, Erwin was named the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week on Monday after throwing 6 no-hit innings in Beloit’s no-hitter against Quad Cities on Wednesday.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)

Round Rock Express 7

Nashville Sounds 6

LP – Bawcom 1-5 / 2.79

HR – Carter (6), Phegley (1)

Prospect Of The Game:

(3 for 5 / Home Run / Double / 3 RBIs)

Catcher Josh Phegley had the biggest game of his rehab assignment with the Sounds on Saturday, collecting 3 hits, including a home run and a double, while driving in 3 runs. He homered to put Nashville on the board in the bottom of the 3rd inning, doubled in the tying run and 7th, and then singled in another run in the 9th. But the Sounds still came up a run short to snap their three-game winning streak on Saturday. First baseman Chris Carter slugged his 6th home run, while center fielder Yairo Munoz had 2 hits, including a double, and drove in a run, and second baseman Joey Wendle singled, walked and stole a base. Starter Chris Jensen allowed 5 runs over 5 frames, while RHP Logan Bawcom surrendered 2 runs in 2 innings of relief to suffer the loss for the Sounds.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)

Round Rock Express 5

Nashville Sounds 6

WP – Schuster 3-1 / 6.20

HR – Barreto (15), Decker (5)

Prospect Of The Game:

(4 for 5 / Home Run / Double / Walk / 3 RBIs / 2 Stolen Bases)

Nashville notched its third straight win, this one in an 11-inning walk-off, on Friday. Second baseman Franklin Barreto had a big night at the plate, collecting 4 hits, including a home run and a double, while also drawing a walk, swiping a pair of bases, driving in 3 runs and scoring 3 times, and the 21-year-old has now gone 12 for 19 over his last 4 games for the Sounds. Starter Zach Neal allowed 2 runs over 6 innings of work and left the game with a 1-run edge. RHP Josh Smith gave up 2 runs in the top of the 7th to surrender the lead, but Barreto singled in the tying run in the bottom of the 7th for the Sounds. A fielding error by shortstop Yairo Munoz led to an unearned run in the top of the 9th off RHP Lou Trivino, but center fielder Jaff Decker led off the bottom of the 9th with a solo shot to tie things up once again and send the game to extra innings. Barreto drew a walk to get on board in the bottom of the 11th and then came around to score on third baseman Joey Wendle‘s RBI single as Nashville won in a walk-off and made a winner of LHP Patrick Schuster, who’d pitched a perfect frame in the top of the 11th for the Sounds. And with center fielder Rajai Davis dealt to the Red Sox and RHP Paul Blackburn landing on the disabled list, the A’s recalled RHP Michael Brady and outfielder Mark Canha from Nashville on Friday.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)

Modesto Nuts 1

Stockton Ports 2

WP – Wagman 3-2 / 5.21

HR – Brown (25)

Prospect Of The Game:

(7 IP / 6 H / 1 ER / 1 BB / 7 K)

The Ports prevailed in an 11-inning walk-off to move back into a three-way tie for first place in the California League North Division on Thursday. RHP Logan Shore turned in one of his best starts of the season, allowing just 1 run while striking out 7 over 7 innings of work, and he now has an ERA of 1.96 over his last 3 starts for Stockton. Shore left with the game a 1-1 tie, and his team’s sole run to that point came when right fielder Seth Brown homered for the fifth straight game, tagging his team-leading 25th home run, a solo shot, in the 2nd inning. RHP Armando Ruiz pitched a pair of perfect frames in the 8th and 9th to hold Modesto in check and send the game to extra innings. Then, in the bottom of the 11th, right fielder Luis Barrera walked and third baseman Branden Cogswell brought him home with a double to right field as Stockton won in a walk-off and made a winner of RHP Joey Wagman, who tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief on Thursday.